Counting barBAYq Bucks

Smoke, sauce and good times yield $60K to help kids

By J. Alex Knoll

KCBS judges at the Naptown barBAYq. <<photo by Elizabeth Chomas>>

It’s taken almost a month to clean the barbecue sauce from their hands, giving the good Samaritans of the Parole Rotary Club a chance to count the money raised at the third annual Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival. The two-day festival in early May drew a crowd estimated at more than 15,000 and raised upward of $60,000 for local charities and non-profits.
“This year’s festival was a huge success,” said barBAYq director and club president Don Chomas. “We added more barbeque, more live music and many new kids’ activities.”
Fifty-six teams competed in the Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event, hoping to present the best chicken, pork butt, pork ribs and beef brisket. Jacked Up BBQ claimed the KCBS grand prize, while Beerbeque won the People’s Choice award.
“I would like to thank the 40-plus bands that graciously donated their time and talent, the volunteers, vendors, sponsors and club members who are all responsible for making this event successful,” said Rotarian Eric Ward. Now comes the real fun: Giving away the proceeds to programs that help children. Previous beneficiaries have included Anne Arundel Medical Center Pediatrics Emergency Inpatient Unit, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and other local children’s charities.